CERN to Champion a New Era of Open Science with Expanded Publishing Platform
In a significant move towards democratizing research, the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN) will host a broadened version of Open Research Europe (ORE), a pioneering open access publishing platform. This initiative, backed by the European Commission and a consortium of national funding agencies, promises to reshape scholarly communication across Europe, and beyond.
What is Open Research Europe?
ORE, launched in 2021, was initially designed for research funded by Horizon 2020 and Horizon Europe. It operates on a “publish-review-curate” model, prioritizing rapid dissemination and transparent peer review. Crucially, ORE offers a fee-free publishing venue, removing a major barrier for researchers. Reviewer reports and identities are made publicly available, fostering accountability and trust.
Expanding Access and Eligibility
The expansion of ORE, set to launch later in 2026, will extend authorship eligibility to researchers affiliated with institutions in countries participating in the funding consortium. This consortium currently includes members from Austria, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, and Switzerland. Publishing will remain free for both European Commission-funded researchers and authors from these participating countries.
CERN’s Role: A Neutral and Sustainable Hub
CERN’s involvement is pivotal. The organization will provide the technical and operational infrastructure for ORE, leveraging its experience with open science initiatives like Zenodo, Invenio, and SCOAP3. This ensures a neutral, reliable, and sustainable environment for the platform. Governance and editorial oversight will remain with the ORE consortium.
The Rise of ‘Diamond’ Open Access
This development aligns with the Action Plan for Diamond Open Access, a movement advocating for publishing models that are free for both readers and authors. Traditional open access often relies on Article Processing Charges (APCs), which can be prohibitive for researchers, particularly those in lower-income countries or disciplines with limited funding. ORE’s fee-free model directly addresses this issue.
Impact on Scholarly Communication
The expansion of ORE is expected to deepen collaboration between CERN, the European Commission, national representatives, and research organizations. Outreach activities, in partnership with OPERAS Research Infrastructure, will aim to attract eligible authors to the platform. The platform anticipates supporting an increasing number of research outputs annually, enhancing the accessibility and transparency of publicly funded science.
Marc Lemaître, Director-General for Research and Innovation at the European Commission, emphasized that ORE is “a strong example of a shared commitment to fostering the free flow of knowledge.”
Pro Tip:
Researchers should familiarize themselves with the ORE guidelines and submission process well in advance of the platform’s launch to ensure a smooth publishing experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is ‘Diamond’ Open Access? Diamond Open Access refers to publishing models where there are no charges for either readers or authors.
Will ORE publish all types of research? ORE aims to serve a wide range of publicly funded research, promoting equity, diversity, and transparency.
What software does ORE leverage? ORE will be built on the open source software Open Journal Systems (OJS).
When will the expanded ORE platform launch? The expanded platform is scheduled to launch later in 2026.
What is the budget for ORE? ORE will have a budget of €17 million for 2026-31, with the EU providing €10m.
Did you know? Since its launch five years ago, ORE has already published over 1,200 articles.
Explore more about Open Research Europe at https://ore.eu. Share your thoughts on the future of open access publishing in the comments below!
